Shake Shack

Can I say that I just died and went to burger heaven?


After so many people have recommended this joint to us, we finally went to Shake Shack in Madison Square Park to give it a try. When we arrived, there was a long line at the counter. We didn't mind the wait as the weather was really nice and a jazz band was playing live.

Shake Shack

I must say that their burgers and shakes lived up to the hype. The meat was very juicy and tasty. The milk shake very creamy (and ofcourse fattening). Lex ordered the Double Stack burger which had the regular beef patty plus a crisp-fried portobello mushroom with melted cheese inside. I'm getting hungry just by describing it!

Yummy burgers

So for great American and comfort food dining, this is one of the best places to go. And besides, you might bump into someone you haven't seen for a long time. Like I did when I bumped into Pat. He was an officemate from my old company in Manila. I haven't seen him for almost 3 years. He's visiting NY for the weekend.

11 years later...

These pictures were taken last week on Carissa's birthday at the Hudson Hotel (cool hotel, by the way). They were my high school and grade school classmates back in San Beda Alabang. When people ask how we all met, it always amazes them that we've known each other for more than a decade. We really don't know what life has in store for us and I'm just thankful that I have crossed paths with these guys again. Here's to spending more NY times with them!

With Carissa, Au and Rina. Rina migrated to the US when we were in 3rd grade.

With Yuri (also a HS classmate) and Au. They were HS sweethearts and now married!

US Open 2007

Thanks to my cyber friend Michelle, Lex and I were able to score discounted tickets to the opening night of the US Open in Flushing, Queens. Watching a tennis match is on our list of to-do's for this summer so even though it was a week night, we still went ahead. The night was clear and beautiful. We could feel the excitement in the stadium. It was also our first time to watch a professional match, so we were pretty stoked =).

It was an added bonus that the Williams sisters were playing that night. The sisters won their respective games but not without any challenge from their opponents. Especially from Angelique Kerber(Germany), who played against Serena Williams.

I definitely can see myself watching more of these games. Being a spectator in the stadium is a totally different experience as compared to watching it from the telly. So hopefully we can watch again before the season ends. There were a couple of celeb sightings too. Mayor Bloomberg, Janet Jackson, Aretha Franklin and Christie Brinkley were there!

Frenemies

This article is an interesting read. Most of us women have what they call a "frenemy". They actually coined a term that would best describe this phenomenon (friend and enemy). I'm sure we have had such relationships before, especially in highschool. What amazes me though is that this seem to only occur in women and not in men. I guess we are just more emotional and expect a lot more in our women friends. That's why there's more room for betrayal and disappointment.

Also, can we call our husbands or bfs our frenemies as well? Don't we have a love-hate relationship with them too? =)

What are your thoughts?

Read here.

Happy Birthday, Kaisy!

Happy Birthday to my sister, Kaisy! We miss you! We'll see you soon. =)

Long Overdue: Quebec City!

If you're planning to go to Montreal, Quebec City is something that you shouldn't miss. Better yet, spend more time in Quebec than in Montreal! UNESCO didn't recognize the city as a world heritage treasure for nothing. Quebec is, I think, the closest thing to Europe that you can get in North America. It's so very French!

The best way to get to Quebec (if you're coming from Montreal) is by bus. This is highly recommended if you drove to Montreal. Riding the bus can save you time and energy especially if you have the whole day devoted to sight-seeing. We checked in at the Hilton Quebec which has a very convenient location as it is within steps to Old Quebec.

Right outside our hotel is the National Assembly of Quebec. The imposing and beautiful building is where Quebec's laws and bills are passed. The Inuksuk (Canada's Inuit indigenous people's symbol) was the one who greeted us on our way to the site.

The Inuksuk

The facade of the building and landscaping is very beautiful as well.

We then moved our way to Old Quebec. Entering the town is like stepping back in time. Very charming and picturesque. We thoroughly enjoyed walking through the area.

Shops and restaurants lined the streets

Cobblestone streets and quaint little houses

The colorful murals

All roads in Old Quebec lead to Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac. It's a five-star hotel and Quebec's most famous and historical landmark. Queen Elizabeth once stayed here =). I heard standard rooms go for $500 a night. It has a great view of St. Lawrence river and some parts of the city from the boardwalk.

But what I think is the highlight of our Old Quebec tour is stumbling upon Quartier Petit Champlain. Quartier Petit Champlain is one of the best shopping districts I have found in all of our travels. I say this even though it is the oldest commercial district in North America and is devoid of any of the well-known commercial brands. There were so many options here of what to buy as souvenirs... from chocolates, local art, wood carvings and all the possible trinkets you can think of. This area would even be more charming during winter when the streets are covered with snow, lights and Christmas trees. Definitely enough reason to come back.

Oh and have I mentioned food? Au petit Coin Breton serves the best crepes ever!! Well worth the 1 hour wait we had to do just to be seated.

We only had this day to explore Quebec and there is still so much more to see. We're planning on coming back... on winter months this time for a totally different experience.

Quebec at night

More Quebec pictures here.

The Powerscrew Crew

Saturday was a great night for food, music, drinks and dancing. Thanks Ray M. for hosting such a fun party. We hope next time would be soon!

Liz, Lynn, Lex, Joy, Ray, Carissa,

David, Pam and Ray M. (at the back)

P.S. Powerscrew was the toxic drink invented for the night! =P

Lazy Sundays in the Park

Doing nothing except people and dog watching. Wish we could do this everyday...

Joren Turns 1

Last Saturday, we were invited by Lex's good friends Angela and Michael to celebrate Joren's first birthday. Joren is their son and Lex's godchild. How time flies! It just seemed like yesterday when we got the invite to Joren's christening. And now he's 1! They just moved to New Jersey (from Texas) so we were quite happy that we can visit Joren regularly now and see him grow. We would get to hang out with Angela and Mike often too. Everyone's moving to the East Coast now. Yippee! =)

With the whole gang. Haha! Kami na lang ang walang baby =P

Everyone's blowing the candle except for the birthday boy

Cutie Joren - love the long hair!

Michael's parents are our wedding Ninong and Ninang. They were there too for the occasion.

!%^*@#*$&@$*

As I'm writing this, I have already spent a total of 17 hours (and counting) in the office. I can still see myself here for another hour or two. It has been a very long, stressful and frustrating day. Sigh.

I need some SERIOUS retail therapy.